The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, announced on Friday March 8 that the department had employed 14 714 young people as part of and initiative aimed at conserving the province’s green spaces.
The provincial Department of Environmental Affairs, guided by the agenda adopted by the Council on Climate Change, is rolling out initiatives aimed at protecting the environment.
Municipalities have experienced a number of extreme weather patterns in the past five years, ranging from drought and heat waves to extreme storms, bringing severe lightning and flooding.
“We are cognisant of the unfortunate reality that ordinary members of society are the first to bear the brutal brunt of such impacts and climate change. The destruction of socio-economic infrastructure and our economy is our major concern,” said Mr Duma.
“It is due to these reasons, we have employed 14 714 energetic youth who will be foot soldiers.”
The responsibility of the newly employed young people will include protecting the environment; accelerating the implementation of climate change mitigation measures; fighting the impact of waste; and fighting invasive alien plant species.
The department said there is a “silent army” marching across the province that looks harmless, yet it is growing day by day.
“This ‘army’ is depleting the province’s water supply. It is intensifying wildfires, reducing agricultural productivity, and threatening globally significant biodiversity.This army is what we call invasive alien species. There are more than 539 registered alien plants. Invasive species steadily diminish water resources, as they typically use significantly more water than native vegetation,” said Mr Duma.
He added that a critical component of the greening revolution is the grassroots mobilisation against littering and illegal dumping. Litter is often carried by storm water systems and streams into rivers and in coastal areas. It finds its way into the ocean, where it impacts negatively on our beaches and freshwater marine life.
“The greening revolution is the launch of its unprecedented effort to ensure that KwaZulu-Natal becomes greener, cleaner, sustainable and prosperous,” said Mr Duma.
